Osteoporosis
HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS AND THE RISK OF OSTEOPOROTIC FRACTURE 1
Publisher's abstract: N
Engl J Med. 2004 May 13;350(20):2033-41.
The occurrence of osteoporotic fractures was correlated with homocysteine levels in 2406 subjects, 55 years of age or older. An increased homocysteine level was a strong and independent risk factor for osteoporotic fractures in older men and women, independent of bone mineral density and other potential risk factors for fracture.
Healthy homocysteine levels can be
maintained with a combination of Folate,
B12 and B6. The body-ready (conenzymated) form of these
vitamins may help overcome obstacles to metabolizing homocysteine.
Publisher's abstract: Metabolism
1985;34:1073-7.
Homocysteine may affect osteoporosis by interfering with collagen cross-linking, resulting in a defective bone matrix. Increased levels of homocysteine have been found in post-menopausal women, and the beneficial effect of folate supplementation appears to occur even in women who have no apparent deficiency of the vitamin.
HOMOCYSTEINE PREDICTS HIP FRACTURE 3
Publisher's abstract: N
Engl J Med. 2004 May 13;350(20):2042-9.
The association between the total homocysteine concentration and the risk of hip fracture in men and women enrolled in the Framingham Study was studied. The age-adjusted risk for hip fracture was four times higher for men and nearly twice as high for women in the group with 25% of the highest homocysteine readings (when compared to participants in the lowest quartile). These findings suggest that homocysteine concentration, which is easily modifiable by means of dietary intervention, is an important risk factor for hip fracture in older persons.
- Additional studies are needed to determine
whether folate intake or lowering homocysteine levels have
a consistent direct, causal role in preventing osteoporosis
or bone fractures.
- This article is not intended to replace the
advice or attention of your doctor or other health care
professional. Do not stop taking medications or start taking
a nutrition supplement without first speaking to a qualified
health care professional.
References
1 van Meurs JB et al. Homocysteine levels and the risk of osteoporotic fracture. N Engl J Med. 2004 May 13;350(20):2033-41.
2 Brattstrom LE. Folic acid responsive postmenopausal homocysteinemia. Metabolism 1985;34:1073-7.
3 McLean RR et al. Homocysteine as a predictive factor for hip fracture in older persons. N Engl J Med. 2004 May 13;350(20):2042-9.
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